S.Jayachandran v. The Chief Secretary to Government Department of Animal Husbandry,

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The instant writ petition is filed seeking to forbear the respondents from conducting Jallikattu at Palaiyakovil Street, Mathakottai area, Nanjikottai Revenue Village, Thanjavur Taluk, Thanjavur District and consequentially direct the respondents to shift the event to any other alternative appropriate venue in the safety interest of the Bulls, Participants and the spectators in accordance with law.

¶2It is the contention of the petitioner that the Jallikattu event has been conducted not in an open ground but in a narrow residential street measuring only about 15 feet in width, with houses situated closely on both sides, which is in absolute violation of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Jallikattu) Rules, 2017. It is the further contention of the petitioner that the proposed venue is situated approximately 100 metres from National Highway (NH-83), and in the event of a bull escaping during the event, there is a possibility of the animal entering the highway and causing inconvenience to the public. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition with the above said relief.

¶3The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that in Thanjavur District, Jallikattu has been conducted in a notified area as per G.O.(D)No.88, dated 03.02.2026 issued by the Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare (AH3-2) Department.

4.This Court heard the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶5There is absolutely no dispute with regard to the village being a notified village as per the Government Order. The grievance of the petitioner is that the Jallikattu event has been conducted in a residential area, which is contrary to the Rules and the Standard Operating Procedure. The learned counsel for the petitioner has also drawn the attention of this Court to the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Jallikattu) Rules, 2017. Rule 3 (7) of the said Rules, reads as follows: "(7) The organizers shall conduct Jallikattu in a open ground with the following facilities.

(a) The bulls shall be provided rest for a minimum of 20 minutes before they are brought into the arena;

(b) In the holding area, each bull shall be provided adequate space to exhibit the normal behaviour. Each bull shall be provided a minimum space of 60 square feet. Adequate feed and water shall be provided to the bulls and they shall be allowed to perform their normal physiological functions. The owner of the bull shall always be by the side of the bull to assure the psychological safety and security of the bull.

(c) The bulls shall be under the constant monitoring of Veterinarians of the Animal Husbandry Department and Police Personnel to ensure the safety, security and the well being of the bulls.

(d) The bulls shall be thoroughly observed for any physical injuries to the body parts like mutilated ears, fractured tail, etc. by Veterinarians of the Animal Husbandry Department. If any injury is found, they shall not be permitted to participate in the event and shall be sent back.

(e) The bull holding area shall be provided with adequate roofing (shamiana / thatched roof) so as to protect the bulls from rain or sunlight.

(f) The holding area shall be maintained neat, clean and hygienic. All wastes like dung and organic wastes be cleared then and there and disinfectants shall be used liberally to ensure complete hygiene.

(g) Closed circuit cameras shall be fixed at vantage points and all the activities shall be monitored and recorded."

¶6Similarly, the Standard Operating Procedure framed in this regard makes it clear that the organizing committee shall conduct the event in an open ground, as far away from human dwellings as possible. The photographs placed before this Court clearly show that the Jallikattu event has been conducted in a thickly populated area, which is in total violation of the Rules as well as the Standard Operating Procedure. If such an event is conducted in a thickly populated area, it may lead to serious consequences, including injuries not only to the spectators but also to the animal.

¶7In such view of the matter, the respondents, hereafter, while granting permission to conduct such events, shall ensure that the Jallikattu event is conducted in an open ground as mandated under the Rules and not in a residential area. The authorities shall take note of the relevant Rules and grant permission only for open grounds and not for residential areas.

¶8With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.]

04.03.2026

Index :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No vsm To

¶1The Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

¶2The District Collector, Thanjavur District Collectorate, Thanjavur – 613010.

¶3The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur Division, Thanjavur District.

¶4The Tahsildar, Thanjavur Taluk, Thanjavur District.

¶5The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

¶6The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Thanjavur Division, Thanjavur District. N.SATHISH KUMAR

, J.

AND

M.JOTHIRAMAN, J. vsm

04.03.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 04.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and W.M.P.(MD)No.2607 of 2026 S.Jayachandran ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009. 2. The District Collector, Thanjavur District Collectorate, Thanjavur – 613010. 3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur Division, Thanjavur District. 4. The Tahsildar, Thanjavur Taluk, Thanjavur District. 5. The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur. 6. The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Thanjavur Division, Thanjavur District. 7. Savari Raja ...Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petitioner – filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the respondents from conducting Jallikattu at Palaiyakovil Street, Mathakottai area, Nanjikottai Revenue Village, Thanjavur Taluk, Thanjavur District and consequentially direct the respondents to shift the event to any other alternative appropriate venue in the safety interest of the Bulls, Participants and the spectators in accordance with law. For Petitioner : Mr.A.V.Saha For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok, Addl. Govt. Pleader for R1 to R4 & R6 Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi for R5